When he watches Sidney Crosby, Nazem Kadri does all he can to stop from sneaking a pad on to the Maple Leafs bench to take notes.

“Everyone can take something out of his game, especially when he comes to town or we go there,” Kadri said of the Pittsburgh Penguins superstar. “Every single player on this team has to elevate their game. If you don’t, he is going to burn you.”

Unlike opposing players, fans and media, for the most part, aren’t at ice level to watch the 25-year-old work his magic. It’s one thing to marvel at Crosby from a distance, quite another to play on the same surface.

Kadri tries to soak up all he can when the Leafs play the Penguins.

“He has top-end talent but his work ethic and determination are on a whole other level,” Kadri said. “He refuses to be out-willed. He’s the guy — you can put your money on it — if the puck is going in the corner, and he is after it, most likely he is going to be the one coming up with it.

“I’m watching him, trying to take as many positive things as I can and apply it to my game.”

The Leafs were reminded of Crosby’s power during a 5-4 shootout loss against the Penguins at the Air Canada Centre last Saturday. Crosby scored in regulation and then got the winner in the post-game skills competition. Crosby spent much of the game locked in an intense clash with Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf, a respectful battle that goes back to their days together with Canada’s junior team.

In his NHL career, Crosby has 19 goals and 19 assists in 24 games against the Leafs. How do the Leafs hope to contain him?

“There are different ways,” Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said. “If you want to turn the puck over and give him the opportunity to play in the offensive zone and attack, he is a dynamic player. He has proven it and he has been very effective here over the last little while.

“We saw first-hand how dominant he can be, but I think we had a lot to do with it as far as turning the puck over and giving him the space he cherishes. You have to out-work him, and that’s not an easy task when you have a player of that level.”

Leafs' Kadri keeping an eye on Crosby

When he watches Sidney Crosby, Nazem Kadri does all he can to stop from sneaking a pad on to the Maple Leafs bench to take notes.

“Everyone can take something out of his game, especially when he comes to town or we go there,” Kadri said of the Pittsburgh Penguins superstar. “Every single player on this team has to elevate their game. If you don’t, he is going to burn you.”

Unlike opposing players, fans and media, for the most part, aren’t at ice level to watch the 25-year-old work his magic. It’s one thing to marvel at Crosby from a distance, quite another to play on the same surface.

Kadri tries to soak up all he can when the Leafs play the Penguins.

“He has top-end talent but his work ethic and determination are on a whole other level,” Kadri said. “He refuses to be out-willed. He’s the guy — you can put your money on it — if the puck is going in the corner, and he is after it, most likely he is going to be the one coming up with it.